A developer wanting to build 21 houses in Bunbury doesn’t own all the application site - and a crucial parcel of the land is owned by an objector, councillors heard.

CB Homes applied to Cheshire East for permission to build the houses on land off Hill Close.

But objector Ms Catherall, of Hill Close Action Group, told the southern planning committee which met at Crewe Municipal Buildings today (Wednesday), she owned part of the land needed for the development.

“The access to the site relies on visibility splays which run from Hill Close on to Bunbury Lane and to the north of the site, near the bend of the road, those visibility splays cross a strip of land which is actually owned by myself,” she said. “The applicants don’t own that at all, and , as such, they can’t control the visibility splays and assure you those visibility splays can be kept clear.”

She said highways officers had failed to address this.

Ms Catherall also took issue with other highways matters, saying the road was not wide enough for two vehicles to pass unless they were Minis.

She said Bunbury is largely a commuter village with only three bus routes a week.

“As such the suggestion that less than half the households would leave the Close during peak commuting hours is just quite frankly ridiculous,” said Ms Catherall.

She added: “If you were to approve this application it would be the subject of serious legal challenge, not least because it’s simply not deliverable if they don’t own the visibility splays that they’re relying upon, and also on the basis of the Neighbourhood Plan.”

Earlier the committee heard from Bunbury parish councillor Ron Pulford that the parish council was willing to consider an application from the developer for 15 homes, the largest size development considered acceptable under the terms of the Neighbourhood Plan.

But Cllr Steve Hogben (Lab) questioned this saying the site was outside the settlement zone so, for consistency, it didn’t matter whether the application was for 15 houses or one, it was still outside the settlement zone.

Cllr Janet Clowes (Con) said she was concerned at the number of houses proposed and moved the recommendation to refuse the application.

This was seconded by Cllr Peter Groves (Con).

The application was refused on the grounds it is in the open countryside and it would be premature following the publication consultation draft of the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan

Twelve councillors voted in favour of the recommendation to refuse it, one voted against and one abstained.